Theory and Practice by Libbie Thurston

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 17, 1872

Theory and Practice.

By Libbie Thurston

To me there is much significance in either of these; and it seems that both are essential, and, like faith and works, should go hand in hand. We may have a theory of the present truth, may understand every point as far as argument goes, and be able always to give every one a reason of our hope; but this is not enough. We must have the love of the truth, and be so sanctified by it that when we give the reasons of our faith it will truly be with meekness and fear. Is there not danger, while we are so much in earnest to understand the theory, and feel that we have an argument to meet all our opposers, that we rest here, and settle down, as it were, content? I have felt the force of this of late, and have been almost on the verge of despair while living on the mere theory of the truth. I had well nigh abandoned my hope, until my mind was called to the practical part of the truth. Then a gleam of light shone round me. Then I began to feel and see how hard it is to try to fight against sin while the love of it is in our hearts. And the knowledge that our hearts might become pure, so that evil tempers, passions, and desires, would be removed, gave me courage to try and get the practical part of the truth down deep in my heart. I am now satisfied that in order to be what Christians ought to be there must be a renewing of the spirit, a cleansing of the heart. Then we shall love the right and hate the wrong.

In my experience, there is no hope of my overcoming evil while the heart, which is the seat of evil, is unrenewed. And now I would say to the desponding one who sees how he fails of overcoming his sins, and is just ready to give up in despair, Let us go to the fountain and have our hearts cleansed, then we shall not always have to fight sin in our hearts, but our fight will be to keep it out.

LIBBIE THURSTON.